Stabilizing brace for scaffolds



Oct. 5, 1965 J. OWENS 3,210,035

STABILIZING BRACE FOR SCAFFOLDS Filed Jan. 27. 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.5

James L. Owens \I 0 INVENTOR.

w BY m Oct. 5, 1965 J. OWENS STABILIZING BRACE FOR SCAFFOLDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 27. 1964 James L. Owens INVENTOR.

Attorneys United States Patent 3,210,036 STABILIZING BRACE FOR SCAFFOLDS James L. Owens, 418 Ingalton Ave., West Chicago, Ill. Filed Jan. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 341,490 3 Claims. (Cl. 248-205) This application is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 259,152, filed February 18, 1963, and incorporates the non-elected subject matter of that application resulting from a restriction requirement by the Patent Office.

The present invention generally relates to scaffolds, and is more particularly concerned with means for stabilizing a scaffold relative to a structure in a manner contemplated to provide a high degree of rigidity and stability so as to form a safe working platform.

One of the primary objects of the instant invention is to provide a stabilizing brace which is uniquely adapted for use in conjunction with a vertical upright, preferably constructed of two 2 x4s, in a manner so as to rigidly fix the position of the upright in order that work platform might be mounted thereon through the use of suitable platform support brackets.

In conjunction with the above object, it is also an object of the instant invention to provide a brace which can be easily applied to and removed from the upright, as well as adjusted for engagement with any point along the upright.

Further, it is an object of the instant invention, in addition to providing for the adjustment of the brace along the upright, to also enable an accommodation of the brace to the particular pitch of the roof, it being contemplated that this brace be primarily utilized in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1. In this manner, the universal adaptability of the stabilizing brace to any building is insured.

Also, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a stabilizing brace which, though relatively simple in construction, is of a highly durable nature capable of effectively providing the desired stabilization of the scaffold.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which: FIGURE 1 is a partial perspective view illustrating the manner in which the stabilizing brace of the instant invention is utilized for vertically positioning a scaffold upright;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 22 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the stabilizing brace itself, the scaffold upright being illustrated in phantom lines;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 3 illustrating a modified form of stabilizing brace;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged partial perspective view of another modified form of stabilizing brace; and

FIGURE 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the stabilizing brace of FIGURE 5 illustrating the particular details thereof.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 20 is used to generally indicate the scaffold uprights or support standards, these uprights 20, while not limited thereto, are preferably formed of two 2 x 4s abutting each other in the manner illustrated in the drawings so as to form a standard having an approximate four inch square cross-section. The brace of the instant invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 24,

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is to be engaged about the upper portion of the upright 20 and then fixedly secured to a building, preferably the roof as illustrated, so as to vertically position the upright 20 and prevent any lateral movement thereof. It Will of course be appreciated that the lower end of the upright 20 is to be engaged with the ground 22 with the major force of any superimposed load being tranferred through the upright 20 to the ground 22. After at least two of the uprights 20 have been suitably positioned and braced through the braces 24, the actual work platform 28 can be properly located therealong through scaffold brackets 26.

The brace 24 consists basically of a rectangular collar 118 of a size so as to slidably receive the upright 20 therein, this collar 118 being provided with an adjustable clamping plate 120 having a plurality of piercing teeth 122 on the forward face thereof and being adjustable toward and away from the forward face 124 of the collar 118 by means of a control handle 126 extending through the rear face 128 of the collar 118 and having its forward end 138 rotatably received within the socket 132 projecting rearwardly from the rear face of the clamping plate 126. This adjustment of the clamping plate 120 is achieved through the threaded engagement of the shank portion of the handle 126 within the internally threaded nut 134 welded to the rear face 128 of the collar 118.

Extending forwardly from the collar 118 are two elongated rods or arms 136, the rear ends of which are pivotally secured to swivel mounts 128 which are in turn se cured to ears projecting in opposite directions from each side of the collar 118 in longitudinal alignment with the front face 124 thereof. In this manner, it will be appreciated that the rods or arms 136 are mounted for pivotal movement about perpendicular axes. The forward end of each of the rods 136 is provided with an upturned flange 142 upon which is pivotally mounted the upstanding tab 144 of an enlarged fiat nailing plate 146 having a plurality of nail holes 148 therethrough.

As will be appreciated from FIGURE 1, the stabilizing brace 24 is vertically adjusted on the uprights 20 until the desired position is reached after which the clamping plate 120 is brought into clamping engagement with the upright 20, the upright 20 thus being clamped between the plate 120 of the forward wall 124 of the collar 118. After the upright 20 has been rigidly clamped, the rods 136 and plates 148 are rotated or pivoted so as to position the plates 146 flat against the roof surface after which a plurality of nails, or other suitable fasteners, are driven through the holes 148 into the roof surface, thus firmly securing the brace 24 and consequently the upright 20 to the building.

In the modified form of stabilizing brace 150 illustrated in FIGURE 4, the collar 152 is of a size so as to closely approximate the size of the upright 20, while at the same time allowing for a vertical sliding of the collar 152 relative to the upright 20 for adjustment therealong. The elongated rigid rods or arms 154 differ from the rods 136 in that both ends of the rods 154 are bifurcated with the inner or rear end 156 being pivotally secured to a swivel mount 158 which is in turn secured to a laterally projecting ear 160 of the collar 152, thus allowing for a pivotal adjustment of each rod 154 about perpendicular axes. The outer bifurcated end 162 of each rod 154 receives therebetween and pivotally mounts a vertically extending lug 164 integral with a flat enlarged nailing plate 166 having a plurality of nailing apertures 168 therethrough.

As will be appreciated, the adjustment of the brace 150 is generally similar to that described supra in regard to the brace 24. That is, the collar 152 is vertically adjusted on the upright 20 and, after the desired position or height is reached, the rods or arms 154 and plates 156 are pivotally adjusted so as to obtain a flat positioning of the plate 166 against the building surface, generally the roof. Finally, a plurality of nails are driven through the nailing apertures 168 thus rigidly affixing the location of the upper end of the upright 20 against any undesirable lateral movement.

The second modified form of stabilizing brace 170 is illustrated in FIGURES and 6. This brace 170 includes a rectangular collar 172 of a size so as to slidably receive the scaffold upright for adjustment of the brace 170 therealong. Pivotally secured to the forward face or panel 174 of the collar 172 is the vertical leg 176 of an angle member 178, the horizontal leg 180 thereof projecting outwardly from the forward face 174 of the collar 172. This pivotal mounting of the angle member 178 is achieved through a threaded stud 182 welded to the forward face 174 and projecting outwardly therefrom through washers 184 sandwiching the vertical leg 176 therebetween, a suitable nut 186 of course being threaded on the stud 182.

An enlarged semi-circular plate 188 is welded to the lower surface of the horizontal leg 180 and projects peripherally therebeyond, with the projecting portion of the plate 188 having a series of apertures 19%) therethrough following the curvature of the outer periphery of the plate 188.

Pivotally mounted on the outwardly extending horizontal leg 180 are a pair of elongated rods or arms 192. This pivotal mounting, which incidentally allows a pivotal movement of the arms 192 about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the angle member 178 itself, s achieved through an elongated threaded rod 194 having the intermediate portion thereof projecting through apertures within the leg 180 and plate 188, and the opposite ends thereof extending through the inner apertured ends of the arms 192, these inner ends being suitably sandwiched by pairs of washers 196 so as to allow for the desired freedom of movement. The rod 194 can either have an integral head on one end thereof and a nut threaded on the other end thereof, or, as illustrated, have nuts threaded on both ends thereof. The arms 192, as will be appreciated from the drawings, are positioned with one above the leg 180 and the other below the plate 188 thus allowing free rotation of each of the arms without interference to the other. Further, in order to provide a high degree of stability to the support 20, the arms 192 are each to be locked within their adjusted position about the vertical axis of the rod 194 by means of locking pins 196 engaged through an aperture 198 in each of the arms 192 and through one of the apertures 190 in the plate 188, these apertures 190 being located an equal distance, along an arcuate line, out from the pivotal axis of the arms 192 so as to allow for the selective alignment of the arm apertures 198 with the apertures 190. If so desired, or if deemed necessary, a spacer 200 can be provided about the locking pin 1% between the upper arm 192 and the plate 188.

While not specifically illustrated, the outer end of each of the arms 192 is to be provided with a nailing plate pivotally mounted in the manner of the nailing plate 146, or in the manner of the nailing plate 166 for utilization in the manner previously described. From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that three unique basically similar stabilizing braces have been described, all incorporating a high degree of adjustability which enables the use of conventional readily available lumber, such as for example 2 x 4s, in the formation of a very practical scaffold support rigidly locked to a structure upon which work is to be performed.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling Within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A stabilizing brace for scaffolds consisting of a support encircling collar, a pair of elongated arms, means pivotally securing a first end of each arm to said collar for pivotal adjustment about two perpendicular axes, and means on the other end of each arm engageable with and adapted to be secured to a stable structure, said last-mentioned means including an enlarged flat nailing plate and means pivotally securing the nailing plate to the arm, the means pivotally securing the first end of each arm to the collar including a planar member projecting outwardly from said collar, the first end of one arm overlying said planar member, the first end of the other arm underlying said planar member, and an elongated rod extending through said first ends and the intermediate member pivotally mounting each arm on this member for movement in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the member.

2. The device of claim 1 including means for selectively locking each arm in any one of a plurality of predetermined pivotally adjusted positions.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the means pivotally securing the first end of each arm further includes a right angularly directed member rigid with said first mentioned member and pivotally mounted on said collar for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the arms.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,035,739 8/12 Raes 24840 1,937,608 12/33 Tobin 182--82 2,143,281 1/39 Sauer 248205 2,244,374 6/41 Riblet 182-146 2,506,824 5/50 Brown 24842 2,854,291 9/58 Riblet 182229 2,918,237 12/59 Boesch 24842 3,120,878 2/64 Neeley 18282 FOREIGN PATENTS 259,761 6/ 49 Switzerland.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A STABILIZING BRACE FOR SCAFFOLDS CONSISTING OF A SUPPORT ENCIRCLING COLLAR, A PAIR OF ELONGATED ARMS, MEANS PIVOTALLY SECURING A FIRST END OF EACH ARM TO SAID COLLAR FOR PIVOTAL ADJUSTMENT ABOUT TWO PERPENDICULAR AXES, AND MEANS ON THE OTHER END OF EACH ARM ENGAGEABLE WITH AND ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO A STABLE STRUCTURE, SAID LAST-MEMTIONED MEANS INCLUDING AN ENLARGED FLAT NAILING PLATE AND MEANS PIVOTALLY SECURING THE NAILING PLATE TO THE ARM, THE MEANS PIVOTALLY SECURING THE FIRST END OF EACH ARM TO THE COLLAR INCLUDING A PLANAR MEMBER PROJECTING OUTWARDLY 